Marion County assistance programs.

Get help with paying bills and rent

The Central Florida Community Action Agency has a program that provides individuals and families help with paying utility and cooling bills. The need for help is unprecedented, with many people now requesting aid who never have in the past. If someone needs help, the Central Florida Community Action Agency can provide aid on a general basis. However, there are some income criteria, and the most that someone can receive help is but once a year. The maximum grants they can receive for an energy bill is $300, and they can also receive up to $600 if they have a disconnect notice.

If your utility provider is Clay Electric, which currently provides service for almost 20,000 people in Alachua County, you can get additional utility bill assistance through the Salvation Army, as those two groups have partnered together.

Some of the other aid that one can receive includes emergency assistance. This can include direct assistance for basic needs such as rental assistance, food, energy payments, transportation to and from work, nutrition, and more. They also run the local weatherization program to help people upgrade their homes for free to conserve energy.

They are located at 410 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala Florida. Dial (352) 378-2168.

Rent assistance programs

The Marion County Homeless Council (phone number (352) 454-7760) has received federal government funds and is now taking applications for the government Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. Almost $1 million dollars will be spent to help prevent individuals and families from being evicted and losing their homes.

The housing assistance program was created to mostly assist renters who are in danger of losing their homes or maybe who have lost their housing because of a change in their employment, or because their landlord has been foreclosed on, or because their income has decreased. The federal government stimulus money will also help keep people in their homes by providing money for rent, utility bills, security deposits, and more. In addition, the money will also help people get housed by paying hotel/motel bills or moving expenses and the like.

Grants and funds from the program can be used by applicants to assist with paying their rent or utility bill payments to stay in their current homes. The funds can even be used to pay for security deposits and other costs to relocate to other rental housing. Learn about additional ways to get rent assistance, including federal government eviction prevention programs.

 

 

 

Emergency financial assistance in Marion County

Brothers Keeper of Marion County provides financial assistance with partial payment of rent due to those eligible. The agency may be able to assists with partial payment of OEU (city of Ocala) utility bills. Programs for health care are also offered, as the agency may provides $50 maximum in prescription assistance once every 6 months to those eligible for help. Last, but not least clothing and food can be offered. Call the Ocala Florida agency at (352) 622-3846.

Salvation Army of Marion County provides numerous social service programs. Some of the resources offered include utility bill assistance. Clothing, furniture and household items for those qualified individuals who are needing assistance with clothing or furniture. Meals and a food pantry are served on site, including holiday meals and gifts. Also housing programs, such as rent assistance ,may be offered. Dial (352) 732-8326.

Annie W. Johnson Senior And Family Center – The non-profit agency provides limited financial assistance with utility, mortgage expenses or rent payment assistance in emergency situations. 1991 W. Test Court, Dunnellon, Florida 34430, phone (352) 489-8021

City of Ocala Hall – Runs a program known as Social Security and Disability Billing Program. The service was designed to help people make the payment on the due date of a utility or cooling bill at the beginning of the month for seniors on Social Security and disabled citizens who have Ocala Electric. 151 SE Osceola Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34471, dial (352) 629-2489

Emergency rental assistance and low income housing - People who rent their home or apartments may be able to qualify for cash assistance or for free advice and case management. Several non-profits, churches, and charities focus on providing rent help, transitional housing, shelter, and landlord/tenant mediation. Read more on how to get assistance.

Community With a Heart Assistance Program

Local residents, local charitable and social service agencies and others have come together to start Community with a Heart. It is a program that is administered by the Ocala Star-Banner and it was created to assist people who have fallen between the cracks of existing assistance programs and can’t qualify for help from anywhere else. It is meant to serve as an option of last resort.

Tens of thousands of dollars are disbursed each and every year to qualified applicants, and the grants can be used to pay for rent, utility bills, monthly mortgage payments, car repairs, medical emergencies, and various other needs that families may have. Those requesting assistance are thoroughly screened to ensure their needs are legitimate and that the funds are being used appropriately. The aid provided is not meant to serve as a long term charity program, but instead provide people with money to make it through short term challenges they may be facing.

Contact the Ocala Star-Banner at 352.867.7827 to learn more about Community With a Heart.

 

 

Help with utility bills from Project WARM

Project W.A.R.M. (Winter Assistance Relief Measure) is a program offered by the City of Ocala that will allow city utility customers who request assistance with their utility bill to defer 25 percent of their utility bill due to the next month's payment/bill.

Customers can request that 25 percent of the utility bill be carried over to the next month, which will help to  partially offset those utility. More moderate temperatures over the next months will result in lower bills.

The adjustment to the energy bill is not automatic though. In order for a customer to get the deferral on their bill, customers must call 352-629-CITY (2489).

HUD foreclosure programs, and debt assistance services

Greenpath Debt Solutions is the local non-profit credit and homeowner counseling agency. Call them at (888) 776-6735. Programs offered include Housing Delinquency/Foreclosure Counseling, Rental Counseling, Bankruptcy advice, Debt management plans, and information on mortgage assistance programs in Florida.

Health care and prescription medications

Interfaith Emergency Services, which is based in Ocala, provides the following. Prescription glasses and eye exam provided by local optometrist.. They assists with providing for long-term prescription assistance programs through pharmaceutical manufacturers and drug companies. Learn about patient assistance programs. Dial (352) 629-8868.

Heart of Florida Health Center is a community clinic that is specializing in low-income and uninsured residents in Marion County. (352) 732-6599

Other community clinics in the area include Bellam Medical Clinic - Dunnellon, FL (352) 465-1199, Citra Family Health - Citra (352) 595-7777.

Senior Citizen programs in Marion County Florida

Marion County Senior Services ((352) 620-3501 offers such assistance as Community Care for the Elderly, Emergency Home Energy Bill Assistance, local services programs (ADA Medicaid Waiver, ALE Medicaid Waiver, and the CDC + Program), Food Pantries, Counseling, and more.

Food pantries

Several churches, charities and non-profit centers distribute free food, groceries, and meals to the low income and needy in the community. Items such as fruits, vegetables, breads, and meats are distributed to people of all backgrounds and income levels. Some of the leading agencies include Citra First United Methodist Church ((352) 595-3151) as well as Community Of Gratitude (dial (352) 288-3499). Or click here to find additional food pantries.